SpaceX is getting ready to launch a Falcon 9 rocket on Friday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and among its payload will be satellites from Palo Alto-based Pixxel Space Technologies, an earth-imaging startup.
Pixxel says its microsatellites capture hyperspectral images that have 50 times higher resolution than other satellites on the market. Hyperspectral imaging reads more wavelengths of light, or bands, than traditional multispectral imaging, which typically only picks up between three to 10 bands. Pixxel's satellites pickup 300 bands.
The startup is launching its first batch of microsatellites on SpaceX's April 1 Transporter-4 mission.
“We’re committed to providing a critical tool in the fight against climate change, helping researchers and on-the-ground responders detect and develop effective strategies to combat imminent environmental threats. This funding will not only assist us with this goal but will help us improve our software capabilities so that organizations of all sizes can access and understand this data," co-founder and CEO Awais Ahmed said in a press release.
Here's more on Pixxel’s new round and other Series A funding news from this past week:
Pinecone Systems Inc., San Mateo, $28 million: Menlo Ventures led the funding for this provider of a new kind of database software that's designed to speed information searches. Tiger Global and Wing Venture Capital also participated.
Pixxel Space Technologies Inc., Palo Alto, $25 million: Radical Ventures led the funding for this developer of a system of imaging satellites designed for agricultural, environmental and military observations. Relativity Space co-founder Jordan Noone, Seraphim Space Investment Trust, Lightspeed Partners, Blume Ventures and Sparta LLC also participated.
T Sqrd Inc. (dba AmplifyMD), Los Gatos, $23 million: F-Prime Capital led the funding for this health care provider that focuses on specialty care. Forerunner Ventures and Greylock Ventures also invested.
Dagger, Inc., San Francisco, $20 million: Redpoint Ventures led the round for this devops platform. Y Combinator, former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao also participated along with Y Combinator.
Stationfy Inc. (dba Arena), San Francisco, $13.6 million: CRV led the funding for this provider of customer chat software. Craft Ventures, Artisanal Ventures and Vela Partners also participated.
Airhouse Inc., San Francisco, $11 million: DNX Ventures led the funding for provider of fulfillment services for online retailers.
